Flames' offense is healthy, hot

LODI - The Flames always knew that if they reached the playoffs, they could get hot.

Stephen Roberson

LODI - The Flames always knew that if they reached the playoffs, they could get hot.

The question was, would they get there?

Well, they're here, and they're hot.

Lodi High (8-3) will cut the red tape on the remodeled Grape Bowl when McNair (8-3) visits at 7 p.m. today in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. It's a rematch of Week 2, when the Eagles handed the Flames their first loss, 43-42, in overtime.

Senior Jordan Perkins, Lodi's most dangerous weapon and one of the area's top running backs a year ago, wasn't available for the first meeting. In fact, he wasn't available for the Flames' first five games after breaking his collarbone in a preseason scrimmage with Weston Ranch.

That's where the uncertainty stemmed. As a junior, Perkins rushed for 1,377 yards and 14 touchdowns despite 179 carries, a relatively low total for a featured back.

If someone didn't step up over the first half of this season, playoff hopes could have died before Perkins ever stepped into a huddle.

Enter Josh Mastro, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound junior playing his first year of varsity football. In the season opener, a 28-7 win over Sheldon, Mastro carried 23 times for 113 yards and a touchdown.

All was well in Lodi.

"I had big shoes to fill," he said. "I just tried to fill 'em. Jordan helped me out a lot and gave me a lot of pointers."

Mastro, more of a power runner than Perkins but without the breakaway speed and open-field moves, was consistently productive. In six games as the Flames' primary back, he eclipsed 100 yards four times.

In a 41-16 win over crosstown rival Tokay, he ran for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Against defending San Joaquin Athletic Association champion Tracy in the league opener, a game Lodi won 48-29, he had 178 yards and four touchdowns.

Flames coach Todd Dillon said Mastro had the attitude and approach to step in and be productive quickly.

"He's a kid who's going to give you everything he has," Dillon said. "He's going to do what you ask him to do, and he's going to be solid, solid as a rock.

"We were lucky to have him."

It was against Tracy in Week 6 that Perkins made his return. But Mastro's success allowed Dillon to work his star in gradually. Perkins caught two passes against the Bulldogs but had no carries. Now, after four regular-season games and one playoff game, he has 665 yards on 73 carries with six touchdowns.

"It was great to see Josh doing so well," Perkins said, "especially since he's only a junior, and he's going to be back next year. It also makes us better now. It opens up more opportunities and allows us to play different positions. When I'm at receiver, he can play tailback, so we're both still threats."

In six games, Perkins has 11 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. He caught nine passes last season.

With Perkins' return, Mastro's production has dropped off significantly. Through the Tracy game, he was averaging more than 20 carries and close to two touchdowns per game. In his past three games, he has 17 total rushes, and in his past five games, he hasn't scored.

Despite a reduced role, he has 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns on 164 carries.

"When (Perkins) returned (Mastro) could have had a bad taste in his mouth," Dillon said. "But it's about the team. You hope and you preach that nobody is bigger than the team."

It's clear Mastro is on the same page.

"I understand what the situation is," he said. "I understand it and accept it."